My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

In the spring of the fifth year of Qianwu (206 AD), in Luoyang, at the Taiji Hall.

Court meeting.

Ji Xuanyuan sat serenely on his throne. His ministers stood in two rows, heads bowed in solemn silence.

Today's court assembly has a particularly different atmosphere, because the emperor is about to announce the punishment for Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

"His Majesty."

Guo Jia stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Liu Bei and Sun Quan have already been executed. However, Liu Bei educated the local people of Yizhou, which saved the court a lot of effort in recovering Yizhou and was of great merit to the country. Sun Quan followed Liu Bei across the sea and did not commit any major crimes. I request Your Majesty to posthumously confer titles on the two men to appease the people of the land."

The hall was completely silent.

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and far-reaching: "Approved. Liu Bei shall be posthumously granted the title of Marquis Yi, and Sun Quan the title of Marquis Qiao. They shall be reburied in the northern Mangshan Mountains of Luoyang with the rites due to marquises."

Those old ministers who had once been loyal to the Han Dynasty all looked up, their eyes flashing with complex emotions.

They never expected that the emperor would be willing to posthumously honor Liu Bei as the "Imperial Uncle" who had fought against the court for many years by following the blood edict of Emperor Xian of Han.

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices stepped forward and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, Liu Bei is a member of the Han imperial family and was once your enemy. To posthumously confer titles upon him, I fear..."

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, interrupting him: "Although Liu Bei is my enemy, he is also a loyal minister. He is loyal to the Han Dynasty until his death. I respect him. Moreover, he has educated the local people of Yizhou, saving the court a lot of effort in recovering Yizhou. He should be rewarded for his merits and punished for his mistakes. I am fair in rewarding and punishing, so what's wrong with that?"

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices dared not speak further.

Among the assembled officials, some nodded secretly, while others sighed inwardly.

The emperor's move both appeased the loyal old ministers of the Han dynasty and demonstrated his benevolence.

High, really high.

After the court session, in the Imperial Study.

Ji Xuanyuan sat alone at his desk, a map of Yizhou spread out before him. The map was very rough, only showing the general outline and marking the locations of a few indigenous tribes.

Guo Jia entered and said softly, "Your Majesty, how should we handle the matter in Yizhou?"

Ji Xuanyuan put down the map, his gaze sweeping far into the distance: "Yizhou is isolated overseas, shrouded in miasma, but its land is fertile and rich in resources. I intend to establish an administrative agency in Yizhou, named the 'Yizhou Protectorate,' under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou. I will select capable officials to govern it."

Guo Jia nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. However... Yizhou is separated from the mainland by the sea, making communication difficult. In case of an emergency, I'm afraid..."

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand, interrupting him: "I know. But that's precisely why we need to appoint officials to govern. If we let it go unchecked, sooner or later someone will take advantage of the situation."

He stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the sky outside, and murmured, "Navigation technology will advance. One day, the connection between Yizhou and the mainland will become closer. What I am doing now is laying the foundation for future generations."

Guo Jia looked at him, a surge of respect welling up within him. His Majesty not only thought of the present, but also of the future. Such a person was a true wise ruler.

"Issue the decree," Ji Xuanyuan turned around, "appoint Zhou Yu as Protector-General of Yizhou, in charge of all military and political affairs in Yizhou. Select officials, craftsmen, and farmers to accompany the army. In Yizhou, build cities, reclaim wasteland, establish schools, and educate the local people."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Summer of the fifth year of Qianwu (1756), Luoyang, Imperial Academy.

Ji Xuanyuan stood before the gates of the Imperial Academy, gazing silently at the newly expanded institution. The Imperial Academy was a place for cultivating talent. He wanted more people to study, and for more children from humble backgrounds to have the opportunity to rise above their circumstances.

"Your Majesty," Pang Tong stepped forward and said softly, "the Imperial Academy has been expanded and can accommodate three thousand students. However... there is a shortage of teachers."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded: "Then we will recruit great scholars from all over the country. All talented scholars, regardless of their background, can enter the Imperial Academy to teach. The court will provide them with salaries and land."

Pang Tong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Ji Xuanyuan added, "Furthermore, establish county schools in various regions so that every child can receive an education. The tuition fees will be covered by the imperial court, and impoverished children can also receive subsidies."

Pang Tong hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, this requires a large amount of money..."

Ji Xuanyuan waved his hand: "Money is not a problem. My national treasury has plenty of money. Besides, cultivating talent is a long-term plan. No matter how much money is spent, it is worthwhile."

Pang Tong bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Autumn of the fifth year of Qianwu (1756), Luoyang, Imperial Palace.

Ji Xuanyuan sat in the imperial study, a long list spread out before him. It was the new policy he was preparing to implement—officials and gentry paying taxes together, the abolition of the fire tax, the merging of land tax and poll tax, and the replacement of native chieftainships with centrally appointed officials.

He picked up his pen and wrote his name on every new policy.

"Your Majesty," Guo Jia entered, his face grave, "I fear these new policies will provoke strong opposition from powerful clans and wealthy families."

Ji Xuanyuan put down his pen, his gaze resolute: "I know. But I must do it."

He stood up, walked to the map, and traced his finger across the territory of the Great Yan: "Look, this empire was conquered by me. How much effort did those powerful families put in? Why don't they pay taxes? Why do they use their privileges to oppress the people?"

He turned to look at Guo Jia, his gaze piercing: "What I want is a fair world. Officials and gentry should pay taxes equally, so that even those with privileges have to pay taxes. The 'fire loss' tax should be returned to the public treasury, so that corrupt officials have no loopholes to exploit. The 'land tax reform' should be implemented, so that landlords and powerful families should pay taxes according to their land, instead of passing the burden onto the poor. The 'reform of native chieftains' should be implemented, so that local chieftains and tribal leaders would no longer rule their own territories and would obediently listen to the court."

Guo Jia remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty, every one of these new policies will offend some people. Especially those powerful and influential families; they are deeply entrenched and have many connections. If they unite to oppose us, I'm afraid..."

Ji Xuanyuan sneered: "Oppose? I have a million-strong army, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and brothers who have followed me through thick and thin. I'd like to see who dares to object."

He walked back to the desk, picked up the stack of new policies, and handed it to Guo Jia: "Issue an imperial decree that the new policies be implemented immediately. Anyone who obstructs them shall be severely punished."

Guo Jia accepted it and bowed deeply: "Yes, sir!"

In the winter of the fifth year of Qianwu, in Wu County, Jiangdong.

News of the new policy spread throughout the land. The reaction from the powerful families of Jiangdong was the most intense.

Lu Kang sat in the hall, his face ashen. Before him lay an imperial edict. The edict clearly stated that officials and gentry alike would pay taxes, the tax surcharge would be returned to the public treasury, the poll tax would be merged into the land tax, and the native chieftain system would be replaced by direct imperial administration.

"This is going to cut off our lineage!" He slammed his hand on the table, and the table shattered with a crash.

Gu Yong's face also darkened: "His Majesty is going to use us as an example. If we don't resist, I'm afraid we won't even have food to eat in the future."

Zhu Huan gritted his teeth: "Rebellion! Rebellion! The court is ruthless, don't blame us for being unjust!"

Zhang Yun shook his head: "Rebel? What can we use to rebel? His Majesty has a million-strong army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Our meager resources are hardly enough to satisfy their every whim."

Lu Kang remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "First, contact the powerful families in various regions and have them jointly submit a petition to His Majesty, requesting him to rescind his decree. If that doesn't work, then we'll make further plans."

Everyone nodded.

In the spring of the sixth year of Qianwu (207 AD), in Luoyang, at the Taiji Hall.

The joint petition from the prominent families of Jiangdong was delivered to Ji Xuanyuan's desk.

After reading it, Ji Xuanyuan sneered and threw the letter on the ground.

"Issue the decree," he said coldly, "that all those who submitted petitions shall have their salaries suspended for six months. Anyone who dares to obstruct the new policies again shall be severely punished."

Guo Jia hesitated and asked, "Your Majesty, won't this incite a popular uprising?"

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head: "No. Those powerful families are all talk. Let them make a scene, the bigger the better. Perfect, I can make an example of them."

He paused, then said, "Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep a close eye on those who are causing the most trouble. If there is any unusual activity, arrest them immediately."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Summer of the sixth year of the Qianwu reign, Luoyang, on the street.

Several of the most vehemently opposed senior officials walked together after court. They cursed as they walked, their voices growing louder and louder.

"His Majesty is trying to cut off our lineage!"

"We, who have served the country for generations, cannot endure such humiliation!"

"Let's unite prominent families from all over the country and jointly submit a petition!"

Before he finished speaking, several burly men suddenly rushed out from a small alley.

The leader, with a dark face and a bushy beard, was none other than Zhang Fei.

He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"Gentlemen, may I have a word with you in private?"

Before the old officials could react, they were dragged into the alley.

Moments later, screams and pleas for mercy echoed from the alley. Passersby scattered, not daring to look.

The next day, there was a court meeting.

Those old officials, all with bruised and swollen faces, knelt in the hall, trembling.

Ji Xuanyuan looked at them calmly: "My dear ministers, what's wrong?"

The veteran officials looked at each other, but dared not tell the truth.

They knew it would be pointless to say it.

Accuse Zhang Fei?

Can the emperor punish him?

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, we accidentally fell last night..." an old official stammered.

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, saying meaningfully, "Oh, those ministers should rest well and return to court once they have recovered."

"Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness." The old officials kowtowed, but in their hearts they were seething with resentment.

After the court session, in the Imperial Study.

Guo Jia couldn't help but laugh and said, "Your Majesty, Yide and Jingsi are too rude."

Ji Xuanyuan shook his head, his gaze deep: "Rude? I think they did the right thing. Some people have to be dealt with by force."

He paused, then said, "Issue an imperial decree to deduct three months' salary from Zhang Fei and Li Cunxiao's pay as punishment."

Guo Jia nodded: "Your Majesty is wise."

Spring of the seventh year of Qianwu (208 AD), Luoyang, Imperial Palace.

The new policy has yielded remarkable results in its first year.

The imperial court's tax revenue increased by 30%.

Those corrupt officials could no longer embezzle funds from the tax revenue because it was now returned to the public treasury.

The burden on ordinary people was also greatly reduced. Because of the conversion of land tax to poll tax, landlords and powerful families had to pay taxes according to their land holdings, and could no longer pass the burden on to the poor.

But Ji Xuanyuan knew that this was not enough. Although those powerful families and clans had been suppressed for the time being, they were not convinced. They were merely afraid, not submissive.

"Your Majesty," Guo Jia entered, his face beaming, "the population statistics for this year are in. Since the implementation of the new policies, the population of Great Yan has increased by 20%! Schools in various prefectures and counties have also enrolled a large number of students. The Imperial Academy is overflowing with students!"

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Good. But this is just the beginning. In a few years, the population will be even larger, and there will be even more talented people."

He stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the sky outside, and murmured, "I cannot live forever, nor can I finish everything. I can only do my best to build the framework. The rest is up to future generations."

Guo Jia looked at him, and a sense of respect welled up in his heart.

Summer of the seventh year of the Qianwu reign, Luoyang, Imperial Garden.

Ji Xuanyuan was taking a walk in the garden with his three sons.

Ji Heng was already fourteen years old, with handsome features, quite like his father.

Ji Qian is five years old and is lively and active.

Ji Wu is four years old, well-behaved and adorable.

"Heng'er".

Ji Xuanyuan stopped and looked at his eldest son. "Do you know why I implemented those new policies?"

Ji Heng thought for a moment and said, "Father wants to make the world fair and let the people live a good life."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "Yes, but not entirely."

He crouched down, looked into his son's eyes, and said, word by word, "What I want is a powerful Great Yan. A Great Yan without internal or external troubles. Those powerful clans are deeply entrenched; if we don't weaken them, they will become a major threat sooner or later. My suppression of them now is paving the way for you."

Ji Heng seemed to understand, but nodded nonetheless: "I understand."

Ji Xuanyuan stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "You'll understand later."

In the autumn of the eighth year of Qianwu (209 AD), in Luoyang, at the Taiji Hall.

The new policies, implemented for three years, have yielded remarkable results. The population of Great Yan has grown from over 20 million at the beginning of the reign to over 30 million. Schools in various prefectures and counties have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. The Imperial Academy has become a sacred place that students from all over the country aspire to attend.

But those powerful and influential families were not willing to give up. They secretly contacted each other, attempting to unite and force the court to abolish the new policies.

"Your Majesty," Guo Jia said gravely, "powerful families and clans in Jiangdong, Jingxiang, and Shu are secretly colluding. They plan to submit a joint petition demanding the abolition of the new policies."

Ji Xuanyuan sneered: "A joint petition? I'd like to see what kind of trouble they can stir up."

He stood up, walked to the map, and traced his finger across the locations of Jiangdong, Jingxiang, and Shu: "Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep a close eye on these people. If there is any unusual activity, arrest them immediately. Also, order the troops stationed in various places to strengthen their vigilance."

Guo Jia clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

Winter of the eighth year of the Qianwu reign, Luoyang, Imperial Palace.

Those powerful and influential families ultimately lacked the courage to rebel. They merely submitted a joint petition, earnestly requesting the court to abolish the new policies.

After reading the memorial, Ji Xuanyuan smiled faintly and wrote a few words at the end: "My mind is made up, there is no need for further discussion."

The petitions were returned, and the powerful families looked at each other helplessly. They knew that the emperor commanded a million-strong army, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and generals with illustrious military achievements. Resistance meant certain death.

Spring of the ninth year of Qianwu (210 AD), Luoyang, Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Ji Xuanyuan offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, announcing the full implementation of the new policies.

He stood on the high platform, looking down at the assembled officials and gazing at the distant city, yet felt no pride. He knew this was only the beginning. The real test was yet to come.

"Your Majesty," Guo Jia walked to his side and said softly, "it's time to go back."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded, turned around and walked down from the high platform.

Behind him, the courtiers shouted "Long live the Emperor!"